Gilbert (Gil) Billings
April 17, 1934 ~ September 5, 2024
EASTHAMPTON – Gil Billings, 90, of Easthampton, died at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on September 5th, 2024, with family members at his side. Gil was born in Randolph VT, to Gordon and Luona (Wood) Billings.
He attended local schools and graduated from Randolph High School in 1952 and from Castleton (VT) State College in 1956. He received a Master of Basic Science degree through a grant funded by The National Science Foundation in 1962 from The University of Colorado, Boulder. In 1976, he earned his PhD in Education, with a focus on Science Education from The University of Connecticut. Gil began his teaching career in the very small Jr.- Sr. High School in Shoreham, VT. He also taught in Winsted, CT and Leicester, MA before moving to Westfield, MA where he taught Physical Science, Introductory Geology and Science Education at what was then Westfield State College for 30 years.
Gil was predeceased by his parents and his daughter, Linda Billings.
In addition to his wife of 66 years, Evelyn (Dean), he leaves their daughter, Julie Jernstrom of Cummington, MA. He is also survived by two sisters, Nancy Eddy of South Royalton, VT, and Edie Billings of Barre, Vt. In addition, he is survived by a niece, Kris Eddy of Alexandria, Virginia, nephew, Kevin Eddy (Stephanie), of Milton, VT and their son and daughter, Fletcher Eddy and Johanna Eddy.
A memorial service will be held October 6th at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of Northampton & Florence, 220 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060. To honor Gil’s memory, those who wish may contribute to Class of ’56 Scholarship Fund, Castleton State University Alumni Association, Class of 1956, 62 Alumni Drive, Castleton, VT 05735; Unitarian Society of Northampton & Florence (address above) or The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, 25 Carew Street, Chicopee, MA 01020.
